fidelity in the discharge of your maternal duties whilst in health. 2. The object for which she desired to live shows this desire was not inconsistent with her Christian character. Our departed sister did not wish to live that she might have more of the pleasures of this worldno; but that she might enjoy the privileges of the Gospel. This she has told me herself. 3. The will of our sister was in subjection to the will of God. Job, however, wished to die-in my text he states his reasons. Let us notice, I. The believer's character. The believer is God's servant. The wicked are their own servants-Satan's servants-the servants of But the believer is God's servantacknowledges God as his Master-obeys His will-loves His service. men. II. The believer's sufferings. Observe, works-death is the evening when he retires to rest-heaven the place in which he is paid for his work. Observe, 1. The character of this reward. This reward is something which suits his spiritual nature: he gets in heaven what he desired on earth. What does the Christian desire? Holiness?-This he obtains : "And they are without fault before the throne of God." Knowledge?-This he obtains: "Now we see through a glass darkly, then face to face." Christ's company?-This he obtains: "And where I am there also shall My servant be." 2. The time when this reward is given. When the night of death comes the labourer retires to rest-enjoys a rest from sin, temptation, affliction. This gives us a pleasing view of death. Ought we not to rejoice when the evening comes! The reason it is otherwise is-we are conscious we have not done our work, therefore, dread the reckoning. 3. The desire for the possession of this reward. When the hireling has finished his work he desires his pay-(second verse), "As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work." The Lord has put us into His vineyard, and promised us eternal life if we will do the work assigned us: "Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right. I will give you; and they went their way." This reward we desire, and believe we shall receive at death: this confidence is 1. The nature of these sufferings. "So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me." Afflictions belong to us by right-are possessed as an inheritance, which we received from our parents. Then, if our afflictions belong to us by right-if they are an estate which our own sins have purchased-we have no cause for complaint. "Yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward." What a mercy Christ has purchased for us another inheritance, "which is incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salva-grounded on the Divine promise : "Be thou tion, ready to be revealed in the last times." 2. Greatness of them. Job was not only troubled all day, but also all night. When he looked for comfort in the evening this was given him, more sorrow" When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day." 3. Unavoidable. "Am made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed me.' Some make their own sufferings by a course of sin-they rush headlong into the furnace. But God sent Job's upon him notwithstanding he was an upright man. Behold He taketh away, who can hinder Him?" 4. The circumstance which increases their weight. "And are spent without hope." 5. Appointed-(third verse), "So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome night are appointed to me.' III. The believer's reward-(second verse): "As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work." The servant is comforted amidst the toils of the day by the anticipation of the evening when he shall rest. This world is the field in which the Christian labourer faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." This reward, however, is viewed as a free favour; and when we speak of it as pay given for work done, we simply mean there is a similar connection between the means and end. That the reward is of grace may be seen from these considerations: First. The disproportion between the work done and the reward given: “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve Me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Secondly. The assistance by which this work is done is all derived: "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" 2. Time when it was offered. This was when his friends were unkind to him. 3. The argument employed. Job tries to move God to compassion by reminding Him of his frailty. Learn, 1. The motives which should induce us to hate sin. The text is a glass in which you may see the face of this monster-look at it in the cause of this labour, of this suffering, and of these complaints. 2. The blessedness of all the redeemed in glory. Once they were toiling in the field of labour, now, having finished their work, they are at ease in the paradise of God. 3. The means by which you may be ready for death. The work which God has given you to do must be done. Our Master is God our directory the Scriptures-our work obedience to all the Divine commands: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Our departed sister was born at Rendham, in Suffolk. Her parents were poor. She was accustomed to attend the parish church, but had not the privilege of religious instruction. Her first serious impressions were received from the prayer of an aged female, which she heard at Swefling. She married in the year 1824 her husband, whom she often reproved for his wickedness, was devoted to the god of this world. But it pleased God to call this rebel out of darkness into marvellous light. From this time our departed sister became his persecutor: thus making it evident that she was a stranger to the new birth. However, under the ministry of Mr. Galloway, her former impressions were revived, deepened, and made lasting. About two years ago she united herself to the Christian church in this place. She was much attached to the public means of grace, and was very regular in her attendance upon them, until laid aside by affliction. For some months she was very ill, which led to the event her friends so deeply deplore. She had a great desire to live for the sake of her family, nevertheless she was resigned to the appointments of Heaven. About an hour before her death she called her children around her gave them suitable advicekissed them-prayed aloud-then called for some water-washed herself-laid downspoke no more-silently committed herself into the hands of her Saviour, and soon after expired. "Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are; MRS. GALL. AN OUTLINE OF HER FUNERAL SERMON, PREACHED ON THE 13th OF MAY, 1838. My soul is weary of my life: I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me."-Job x. 1, 2. THE experience of God's people in its general outline is the same, but there are circumstantial differences, for many of which it is easy to account. These differences, for example, will arise from age, situation, or the state of the physical constitution. This observation has been suggested by the religious experience of our three departed sisters, all of whom have been removed to their rest during the last five months. But it is not my intention to occupy your time in pointing out these individual differences-the subject has been referred to merely to give prominence to the desire which our aged friend had to depart hence, in contrast with our other sister, who preceded her by about nine days. This difference is easily accounted for-the latter was in the midst of her days, the former had passed even the fourscore years the latter had six young children, who needed her maternal care, the former had no such tie to earththe latter was but young in her Christian course, the other like a shock of corn that is fully ripe. Before we proceed to the consideration of the text, there are three things, relative to our three departed sisters, that we would just notice. First, the meeting which has taken place between them. On earth they had met together at the same cross-at the same throne of grace at the same table of the Lord, and now they have met in the same glorious mansion, and worshipped together the one God, sing the one song, and engage in the one service. Oh, think of the blessedness of this meeting. Now they are together as warriors who have finished their warfare, or as pilgrims who have ended their journey, or as labourers who have accomplished, as a hireling, their day. Methinks I see the three ransomed spirits in their white robes, standing before the throne, and exclaiming, amidst the assembled throng-" Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Think of your departed friends, who have died in the Lord, and this will inpire you with fresh zeal in the spiritual conflict. Think of their home of their state-of their employment. Suffer me to remind you, Secondly-Of the happy dismission out of this world which each of them experienced. Our three departed friends died in hope of that glory which they have now realized. Such was their state of mind in the valley and shadow of death, that each of them could say, Weep not for me, but for yourselves." This fact shews the value of religion-the folly of Christians dreading to meet the last enemy, and under what obligations we are laid to praise God. 66 Thirdly-There is another thing worthy of notice that is, our three friends have been taken away within five months. This instance of human frailty speaks loudly to us-this should arouse us to self-examination, to greater watchfulness, and to more active labour in the Lord's vineyard. "The voice said cry and he said, what shall I cry? All flesh is grass," &c. (Isaiah xl. 6-8.) The words of the text lead me to notice, I. The declaration-" My soul is weary of my life." This is sometimes the case with wicked men. Disappointment, discontent, the stings of a guilty conscience I will lead to this. (1 Kings xxi. 1-4.) The Christian also is sometimes weary of life. Let us notice some of the causes of this 1. Sin. The Christian is a new creature in Christ Jesus; hence, it is not strange that he should long to be free from a companion he so much abhors. The unbelief, the sensuality, the rebellion against God, which he finds in his heartthese are as a den of thieves, and oh, how he prays for their extirpation. Never was there such a thief as sin-sin robs us of a thousand blessings, which we should otherwise enjoy. That you may see how odious this thief must be to a Christian, you must well consider the nature of the blessings of which he robs us-the frequent repetition of the offence, in connection with the misery to which this must necessarily lead. Sin is also compared to a wound, and oh, how anxious the patient ought to be for a complete cure. This accursed thing is also a burden; the bearer of it, therefore, may well be concerned to get it rolled off: "O wretched man that I am," &c. (Romans vii. 24.) Our departed sister was weary of life on this account-she felt what an evil sin was, and longed for the period when her sanctification would be consummated. 2 Temptation. Perhaps this has occa sioned some of you no pain, for you find delight in yielding; but temptations do often distress the souls of the godly. They are tempted to impatience, fretfulness, wordlymindness, unbelief, sloth, and all manner of abominations. (Eph. vi. 12.) 3. Afflictions. Sickness of body, straitened circumstances-the unkindness of friends may induce this loathing of life. (Job vii. 13-16.) 4. The wickedness of men. The Christian lives in the midst of God's enemies; when, therefore, he observes their profanity, he may sometimes feel impatient amidst such scenes of moral desolation. 5. The infirmities of old age. (Eccles. xii. 3—5.) 6. When the Christian is unable to do good. There are some who feel that there is nothing worth living for but to glorify God in doing good, and when they are unable to do this, they may long to be at rest. 7. The hope of heaven. The Christian would part with this life because he has an evidence that he shall inherit a better. (2 Cor. v. 1.)-Notice, II. The resolution: "I will leave" my complaint upon myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul."-Job x. 1. Some think this means, that if he did complain, this would arise from the sin that was in him. Taking this view of these words, they yield us this instruction-that all the complainings of the people of God must be traced to indwelling sin as the cause. They are sanctified but in part-the old man is still in existence-the flesh lusts against the spirit, hence arise occasionally, complainings. Our departed friend would sometimes make these complaints; and though I would not maintain that they were sinless, yet there are three things that distinguish them from the complain. ings of the wicked: 1. The Christian cherishes good thoughts of God, even though the weight of his calamities makes him cry out under them. This is his belief, even whilst he is uttering his complaints: "The Lord is righteous in all His ways.' 2. The Christian does not indulge these complaints as though they were sinless. No; they are viewed as sinful; they humble his spirit, and are confessed as outward expressions of the hidden evil of the heart. 3. The cause of these complaints is viewed as a blessing rather than a curse. The cause is affliction. Now affliction is seen by the eye of faith as intended for our good. (Hebrews xii, 10, 11.)—Notice, III. The prayer. "I will say unto God, do not condemn me." Observe, 1. The evil dreaded.--Condemnation. This evil involves in it the displeasure of the Judge, the infliction of the threatened punishment, and everlasting disgrace. 2. The grounds of this condemnation. These are all the sins which exist in the soul. 3. The important prayer. Prayer is not the ground upon which this condemnation is not inflicted—this is the merits of Christ; but believing prayer takes hold of the promise of salvation, which God has made to those who seek it. (Hebrews viii. 12.) From this subject learn, 1. The high value which we ought to set on the Gospel. The Gospel is a remedy for all the evils which have been pointed out. Does sin make you weary of life? "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." Does temptation? (Hebrews ii. 18.) Does the wickedness of men? (1 Timothy i. 15.) Does affliction? "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in Me ye shall have peace." The Gospel furnishes a staff for the weak, cordials for the sorrowful, salvation for the condemned, an asylum for the persecuted, a portion for the destitute. (Hebrews vi. 19, 20.) 2. The satisfaction which heaven must yield to the saints. Once they were weary -weary of sin, temptation, affliction. Now they have no sin-make no complaints-fear no evil : "There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary be at rest. 3. How anxious we ought to be to escape hell. Saints on earth are sometimes weary of their burdens, what then must the wicked be in hell? This hell will be your home, unless you pray in faith, in sincerity, and in penitence. "Do not condemn me. That you may not be condemned hide thyself in Christ." There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." The following is a brief sketch of the life and death of our departed friend, which may be interesting to those who knew her. She was born at Mulleden, in the year 1756, which place she left when about four years of age, and went to reside with her parents at Melton. When about twelve years of age she lost her mother; after this event she went out to service, but did not live in a religious family until she was about thirty years of age, when she entered the service of a Mr. Taylor of Woodbridge, under whose roof she soon received the grace of God, and was thereby made wise unto salvation. The first sermon that arrested her attention, and fixed the truth in her soul, was preached by Mr. Palmer, of Woodbridge. The subject was the wheat and the tares. She felt that the tares were an emblem of her character, which fear was so strong and lasting, that she did not join a Christian The church for some years afterwards. "There everlasting spring abides 1. She was generous, grateful, and humble. 2. The jealousy she exercised over her state before God was such, as is commanded in Scripture. (Hebrews iv. 1.) The last time I saw her she said, as she had often done before, I hope I am not deceiving myself." 3. She felt much concern for the salva. tion of her neighbours. 4. The kindness of Mr. Taylor, in whose family she found the Pearl of great price, was often mentioned with grateful affection. After 5. Her attachment to the people, Gospel, and house of God, was most ardent. she was more than eighty years of age she frequently attended the seven o'clock prayer meeting. The glorious Gospel of the blessed God was ever uppermost in her thoughts, as was evident from the smbject of her conversation. "The people of God," she would say, "I'love, and I hope I shall live and die amongst them." (Ruth i. 16. 17.) CHURCH METROPOLIS SOCIETY. circulated, which was agreed to unanimously. Several other Resolutions were passed in the same manner, after which the Meeting separated. THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE ANCIENTS. A most interesting Lecture was deli A highly-respectable meeting was held at the Society's Rooms, Lincoln's-inn fields, ou June 13. The Bishop of London said prayers. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury was in the chair. Amongst those present were the Bishops of London and Winchester, the Earl of Har-vered on Thursday evening, June 21, at rowby, Lord Bexley, Radstock, and San- the Camden Literary and Scientific Indon, Sir R. Inglis, Sir S. Glyn, and Sir stitution, by N. Rogers, M.D., of KenC. Hunter, besides many clergymen and tish Town, on the Mythology of the gentlemen of the first respectability. Ancients. The Lecturer took a rapid Mr. DODSWORTH, the Secretary, read but clear and concise view, of the rise of the Report. It commenced by stating the various religious systems of Persia, the difficulty the Society had to contend Arabia, Egypt, Phænicia, &c.—embracwith in procuring sites for building on, ing the peculiarities of worship among and difficulties arising from other cir- these great nations of antiquity, and cumstances. But the Committee had throwing much light upon various pas. the satisfaction to announce the pleasing sages of Scripture, where evident alluresults of their labours. They had al- sions are made to the prevailing idola ready built three churches in the parish trous practices, which so fearfully disof Stepney, where great spiritual desti- tinguish the Gentile world from the tution prevailed, and which were nearly dwellers in the land of Israel. The Lecfit for consecration. There were four ture was distinguished by great research, others in progress in that neighbourhood, and admirable felicity of expression; two in Shoreditch, one in Whitechapel, affording satisfaction and pleasure to a and assistance had been given to others. numerous and very respectable audiThere were also in progress one in Lam-ence, who appeared to listen with the beth, one in St. Bride's, and one in Is-deepest attention. We hope Dr. Rogers lington, making in all fourteen, to which will be requested to follow up this Lecthe Committee proposed to add twelve, in all amounting to twenty-six. The one proposed to be erected at St. Margaret's, Westminster, was deferred, owing to the intended improvements in that neighbourhood, for which it was hoped, CONVERSIONS TO CHRISTIANITY.-We when completed, a better site would be understand that six Hindoos, three men obtained. This was the number of and three women, were on Sunday last churches which were charged upon this baptised by the Rev. Dr. Wilson, in the fund. The subscriptions were not so General Assembly's Mission-house, before great as might have been anticipated; a large congregation both of Europeans last year they amounted to 117,4237.1s.6d. and natives; and that the same number The present year's subscription, up to of persons came forward and publicly the 6th of this month, amounted to solicited admission into the church, and 128,775l. 9s. 9d., the increase being were received as catechumens. These 11,3527. 8s. 3d., a sum far short of what converts belonged to the Brahminical, might have been expected from a great Sonar, Maratha, and Purwari castes. It mercantile city. The Report concluded would appear that during this year consiby announcing that her Majesty had derable success has followed the labours graciously been pleased to become Patron, of the missionaries in this place. As the and subscribed 1,000l. The Bishop of preaching of the Gospel, the circulation London requested the Secretary to state of the Scriptures, and the promotion of to the Meeting that the Draper's Com-education advance, it will, there can be pany subscribed 500l. The Financial no doubt, be more distinguished.—Report was then read, which stated that Bombay Courier. after all the expenditure of the year a balance of 73,9791. 6s. 9d. remained to the credit of the fund. The Bishop of WINCHESTER proposed that the Report should be printed and ture by another, on the Mythology of the Greeks and Romans;—an ample theme, associated with which is so much that is glorious in imagination, elevated in sentiment, and sublime in diction. MR. WOLFF AND THE UNIVESITY OF DUBLIN.—Mr. Wolff has been presented with an honorary degree of LLD., by the University of Dublin. |